Fleadh Cheoil

01/06/2026

Booking for the three official campsites at opens today at 12 noon via fleadhcheoil.ie

29/05/2026

We are delighted to welcome Ademar O’Connor to Scoil Éigse this year.

A 23-time All-Ireland champion from Co. Offaly, Ademar has achieved success across multiple instruments and continues to inspire the next generation of musicians through teaching and performance.

Ademar will be among the many tutors sharing their knowledge and experience at Scoil Éigse this summer.

Register now at: scoileigse.ie

28/05/2026

However you check into Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this summer, Belfast has got you covered!

With accommodation options to suit every pocket from hotels and student digs to local B&Bs, three official campsites have also been confirmed at Titanic Quarter, Ormeau and Falls Parks.

Campsite bookings will open next Monday 1 June from 12 noon and details are now available at fleadhcheoil.ie/camping

With demand anticipated to be high and availability limited, make sure to browse the information in advance and secure your spot early.

Comhaltas and Belfast is looking forward to rolling out the welcome mat for all its visitors from 2-9 August.

Belfast City Council Visit Belfast Tourism Northern Ireland

25/05/2026

Meet the winners – North America

Every year, thousands of musicians across the world begin their journey in traditional music, building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for traditional Irish music.

This week, we are shining a light on a talented musician whose dedication and passion led her to winning the 1D Fidil / Fiddle (O18) competition in Wexford last summer.
Orla O’Connor, originally from Fenit, Co. Kerry, Ireland, began her musical journey at just seven years of age, on the tin whistle before taking up the fiddle at nine. She was actively involved in Comhaltas in Kerry and is now a member of the Mícheál Ó Domhnaill Branch of Comhaltas in Oregon.

Orla has taken part in numerous Fleadh competitions, achieving success at the highest level – including a 2nd place in the All-Ireland U18 Fiddle competition in 2016.
Her commitment has seen her develop into a skilled and versatile musician. Alongside the fiddle, Orla also sings and plays guitar.

Now progressing into the next stage of her musical journey, Orla is sharing her knowledge through teaching, having completed some SCT (Scrúdú Ceol Tíre) examinations at a younger age. In addition to teaching fiddle, she also performs regularly, offering vocals, guitar, and fiddle for events and concerts, alongside her career in healthcare.

If you are interested in learning to play or getting involved in Irish traditional music, check out your local Comhaltas branch. To find classes and sessions in your area, visit: https://comhaltas.ie/ways-to-take-part/branch-map/

23/05/2026

As we approach the end of National Volunteer Week, we extend a special go raibh míle maith agaibh to our volunteers who have been at the heart of Comhaltas for 75 years.

From weekly classes and sessions to concerts and Fleadhanna, our volunteers dedicate their time, passion and energy for the benefit of others and to promoting and preserving Irish music, song and dance across 25 countries around the world.

This year alone, more than 1500 volunteers will help deliver the historic Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast. If you would like to be part of it, secure one of the final 200 volunteer places by signing up at: https://fleadhcheoil.ie/be-part-of-the-fleadh/volunteer/

22/05/2026

As part of the Comhaltas 75th anniversary celebrations, Minister Patrick O’ Donovan together with Ardstiúrthóir Dr. Labhrás Ó Murchú and Uachtarán Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, unveiled a specially commissioned plaque to mark Listowel’s hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on 14 occasions from 1970 to 2002.

19/05/2026

Today at a special event hosted by Belfast City Council at the Titanic Quarter, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were treated to a taste of what visitors can expect at this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.

The royal couple were entertained by musicians and dancers from Ards CCÉ and players from the Belfast Bands Forum, before meeting with Dr Labrás Ó Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir and Uachtarán Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Also in attendance at the event were Ardrúnaithe Tomás Ó Maoldomhnaigh; Ardchisteoirí Éamonn Ó hArgáin;
Ulster Council and Ardchomhairle members Eamon Graham, Máire Buckley and Gráinne Scullion; Ardchomhairle member Vince Jordan; and Príomhreachtaire Brendan McAleer.

The historic Fleadh is set to take place in Belfast for the first time this year, from 2 to 9 August and is already shaping up to be a memorable celebration of music, song and dance. Sharon Shannon and her big band, singer‑songwriter Foy Vance, Lúnasa and Donegal’s all-female group Sí Fiddlers are among the artists announced to perform on the Gig Rig at City Hall over the course of the week.

For all Fleadh news and events visit: fleadhcheoil.ie

Belfast City Council Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Comhaltas

17/05/2026

Senior Céilí Band Competition - Tickets now on sale

Senior Céilí Band Competition
Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Sunday 9 August 2026
TICKETS NOW ON SALE @
https://fleadhcheoil.ie/whats-on/

Video footage: Willie Fogarty - Comhaltas Live

14/05/2026

More exciting event details announced today by Belfast City Council

The countdown is well and truly on to , with so much to see and do for everyone across our city from 2-9 August!

Today, 75 years since the first Fleadh took place, we're sharing further programme details, including:

🔹Foy Vance performing at our closing event on Sunday 9 August, alongside the newly crowned winners of that afternoon's Senior Céilí Band Competition - a key part of the event's impressive finale

🔹'Sharing Traditions' showcase at our big opening event on Sunday 2 August, inviting the city to celebrate together with a fusion of traditional Irish music, Dhol drummers, Indian dancers, flute and pipe bands and Highland dancers

🔹'Connections' - a multi-cultural music experience on Friday 7 August, as acclaimed Belfast composer Neil Martin leads Arts Ekta, musicians and dancers to blend Irish trad music with sounds from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and Latin America

🔹Top trad acts Lúnasa (also on Friday 7 August) and all-female group The SíFiddlers (Thursday 6 August)

🔹The Ulster Bands showcase, a colourful celebration of Unionist and Ulster‑Scots culture with Belfast Bands Forum, taking place against the dramatic backdrop of Titanic Slipways on Thursday 6 August

🔹A fringe festival of 90+ events, stretching from Belfast city centre and into local neighbourhoods, with art, dance, performances, family activities and community participation, as well as successful projects from our Bank of Ideas scheme

🔹Highlights confirmed so far include Neuromusicology, a unique live show from NI Science Festival, a new performance from Beat Carnival, DJ Paddy Callaghan's famous Trisco or trad disco, pop-up events around the lake at the Waterworks, community meals and céilís in south Belfast's alleyways, oral histories and art exhibitions in the east of the city and forklore walks in Colin Glen... the list goes on!

🎟️ Ticketed events are available from Friday 5 June at fleadhcheoil.ie - a selection of events are already on sale from the What’s on section

👀 Further details of full fringe programme will be announced soon

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